The Calcasieu Police Jury and the City of Lake Charles announced that they will open a Warming Station for the homeless. As forecast, temperatures are dropping as an Artic Freeze is descending on the state over the next few days. Wednesday, city officials are alerting the public that there will be a place to get out of the frigid weather for anyone experiencing homelessness. Families with children or persons with special needs are to call 211 for assistance in obtaining shelter during the freezing event.

The Warming Station will open on Thursday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m. and will be located at
the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (2009 N. Simmons Street.) As it stands now, the station will be open through Monday, Dec. 26. United Way of Southwest Louisiana and Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana will assist in this effort.

Thursday, Dec. 22, and Friday, Dec. 23, the City and Calcasieu Parish Transit system will assist in transporting homeless residents needing a ride to the Warming Station. Buses inside the City of Lake Charles will run during regular hours of operation from 5:45 am to 5:45 pm. Homeless residents can simply go to any bus stop in City limits and take the bus to the Simmons Street location.

Residents needing transportation to the Warming Station outside the City of limits on Thursday, Dec. 22, or Friday, Dec. 23, may call 211 between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm for assistance.

Christmas Eve Saturday, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day Sunday, Dec. 25, transportation will be available to the Warming Station. Residents may call 211 between the hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. for assistance. On Monday, Dec. 26, once the Warming Station closes, the City and Calcasieu Parish Transit will once again provide transportation assistance. This transportation service is only available to persons experiencing homelessness and needing a ride to or from the MLK Warming Station.

Please be advised the following rules will be enforced:

• Residents will be asked to present identification upon arriving or, if they do not have
identification, will be photographed for security purposes. Residents must pass security
screening when entering and re-entering, including metal detection.

• No weapons, illegal drugs, or alcohol will be allowed.

• No animals allowed.

• No children will be housed at the warming station.

Special thanks to the various charities and faith-based organizations for their generosity and assistance. Additional donations will not be accepted at the MLK Warming Station site. In the event of an emergency, dial 911.

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